Beverage-cooling vessel

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cooling a beverage, through the special design of a vessel for dispensing a beverage, is disclosed. The beverage is cooled while it is inside an upper portion of the vessel, through contact with a consumable substance with a lower temperature than the beverage. The consumable substance is located in a freezable reservoir, and is substantially frozen before the beverage is introduced into the vessel. The beverage and the consumable substance make contact through a neck separating the upper portion of the vessel from the freezable reservoir. As the consumable substance melts, it gradually mixes with the beverage, continuing to cool the beverage over a period of time, without ice floating to the top of the vessel.

1. A vessel for cooling a beverage, comprising:
 a freezable portion comprising a reservoir, wherein:
 the reservoir has a bottom capable of supporting the freezable portion or the entire vessel in a substantially upright position; 
 the reservoir has an inner width at its widest point; and 
 the reservoir is so dimensioned as to be capable of holding a consumable substance, wherein the consumable substance is capable of being frozen in the freezable portion and wherein the consumable substance is capable of cooling a beverage; 
 
 an upper portion, capable of being coupled to the freezable portion, comprising:
 an opening, wherein the opening is capable of allowing the beverage to be served, poured or consumed; and 
 
 a neck located between the upper portion and the freezable portion, wherein the neck has an inner width at its narrowest point, and wherein the width of the neck is less than the inner width of the reservoir of the freezable portion. 
 
   
   
     2. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a mug for serving, pouring or drinking a beverage. 
   
   
     3. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a cup or glass for serving, pouring or drinking a beverage. 
   
   
     4. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a pitcher for serving, pouring or drinking a beverage. 
   
   
     5. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is selected from: a bowl, bottle or can for serving, pouring or drinking a beverage. 
   
   
     6. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion contains a handle. 
   
   
     7. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion contains at least one handle, lid, cap, stem or other functional or aesthetic accompaniments, or any combinations thereof. 
   
   
     8. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the freezable portion and upper portion comprise a single unit. 
   
   
     9. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the freezable portion and upper portion comprise separable parts capable of being physically coupled together after the consumable substance in the freezable portion is substantially frozen. 
   
   
     10. The vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the freezable portion is capable of being fastened to the upper portion after the consumable substance in the freezable portion is substantially frozen. 
   
   
     11. The vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the freezable portion is capable of being coupled with the upper portion by twisting after the consumable substance in the freezable portion is substantially frozen. 
   
   
     12. The vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the upper portion is capable of being snapped onto the freezable portion after the consumable substance in the freezable portion is substantially frozen. 
   
   
     13. The vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the method of coupling of the freezable portion and upper portion is selected from: clamping, screwing or latching after the consumable substance in the freezable portion is substantially frozen. 
   
   
     14. A freezable container comprising a reservoir, wherein:
 the reservoir has a bottom capable of supporting the container in a substantially upright position; 
 the reservoir is capable of holding a consumable substance, wherein the consumable substance is capable of being frozen in the freezable portion and wherein the consumable substance is capable of cooling a beverage; 
 the reservoir has an inner width at its widest point; 
 the reservoir contains an opening, wherein the opening has an inner width at its narrowest point; 
 the inner width of the opening is less than the inner width of the reservoir; and 
 the reservoir container is capable of being coupled with a second container containing a beverage, wherein:
 the reservoir container is positionable beneath the second container; 
 there is a neck separating the consumable substance in the reservoir container from the beverage in the second container above it; and 
 the inner width of the neck is less than the inner width of the reservoir. 
 
 
   
   
     15. A method of manufacture, comprising:
 (a) providing a mold for a vessel for cooling a beverage, the vessel, comprising:
 a freezable portion comprising a reservoir, wherein:
 the reservoir having a bottom capable of supporting the freezable portion or the entire vessel in a substantially upright position; and 
 the reservoir is capable of holding a consumable substance, wherein the consumable substance is capable of being frozen in the freezable portion and wherein the consumable substance is capable of cooling a beverage, 
 
 an upper portion, capable of being coupled to the freezable portion, comprising:
 an opening, wherein the opening is so dimensional as to allow the beverage to be served, poured or consumed; and 
 a neck located between the upper portion and the freezable portion, wherein the inner width of the neck is less than the inner width of the reservoir of the freezable portion; 
 
 
 (b) filling the mold with liquid capable of hardening; 
 (c) allowing the liquid to substantially harden inside the mold; and 
 (d) removing the substantially hardened liquid from the mold. 
 
   
   
     16. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (b) comprises filling the mold with liquid plastic. 
   
   
     17. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (b) comprises filling the mold with molten glass. 
   
   
     18. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (b) comprises filling the mold with liquid metal. 
   
   
     19. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a mold in the shape of the container in  claim 1 . 
   
   
     20. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a mold in the shape of the container in  claim 14 . 
   
   
     21. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a mold in the shape of the container in  claim 14 . 
   
   
     22. The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a mold in the shape of the container in  claim 14 .